Aleene Frances Hughes

Hopi

The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona
January 15, 2005

Aleene Frances Hughes, MSW, ASCW, was born February 21, 1939, and passed away on January 11, 2005. Aleene was the only daughter of Alfred WOLFE (Tohono O'odham) and Margaret FREDERICKS (Hopi), and was raised in Flagstaff, Arizona.

She is survived by one older brother, Kenneth WOLFE. As a child, Aleene was a fine musician, playing the violin, cello and French horn in school. She had a life-long love of music, especially classical and jazz. As a young woman, Aleene raised four children on her own.

She is survived by her children Michael (Sheila), Joann, Joseph (Susan) and Michelle (Joe), by her nine grandchildren Sequoia, Robbie, Shelly, Jacob, Angela, Monique, David, Andrea and Anna and by one great-grandchild Analicia.

While raising her children, Aleene went back to school, first to Gregg Secretarial School, and later to Phoenix College. She worked as a Medical Records Librarian at Maricopa County Hospital and Phoenix General Hospital.

Many nights, after working and going to school, she would come home and study medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and other subjects for school. She was an excellent student and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society. She continued attending college and transferred to Arizona State University where she earned her bachelors degree and a Masters of Social Work degree in 1973. She was a social worker for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and worked at the Pima Agency in Sacaton, at the San Carlos Agency and in the Phoenix Area Office.

After she retired, Indian social workers would ask about her and comment on the excellent casework training she provided. She was especially proud of the young Indian women that she mentored.

After her retirement from the Federal service, she traveled to England, France, New Orleans, Hawaii and other destinations. She had many projects going at the same time including quilts painted with Hopi designs.

She wrote stories for her grandkids about life on the Hopi reservation and wrote down stories which were told to her by her Kwa'a (grandfather).

Aleene had a life-long interest in history, especially World War II. She interviewed many veterans and recorded their wartime experiences. If she recognized a veteran from their hats or badges, she would talk to them and thank them for their service to our nation.

Visitation and Rosary at Harper Funeral Home, 1242 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ. Mass at St. Mark Catholic Church, 400 N. 30th Street, Phoenix.